Viet Nam imported goods worth US$22.5 billion from South Korea in the first half of this year, up 51 per cent year-on-year, the General Statistics Office reported.

With these figures, South Korea emerged as the second largest provider of goods for Viet Nam in the reviewed period. Viet Nam’s major imports from South Korea included machinery and equipment, up 120 per cent; electronics, computer and components, up 46 per cent; and telephones and parts, up 38 per cent.

China remained Viet Nam’s leading source of imported goods in the six-month period. Viet Nam’s imports from this neighbouring country saw a yearly import rise of 17 per cent to $27.1 billion, with key items including machines and equipment, and electronics and components.

From January to June, Viet Nam’s import turnovers from some other markets also recorded significant increases, such as ASEAN countries with $13.6 billion, up 18 per cent; Japan with $7.7 billion, up 11 per cent; the EU with $5.8 billion, up 16 per cent; and the US with $4.8 billion, up 27 per cent. — VNS